Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by ''OpenSecrets.org'', Velazquez's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $-749,998 and $1,830,999. That averages to '''$-1,290,498.50''', which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2012 of $5,700,168.36. Velazquez ranked as the 438th most wealthy representative in 2012.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00001102&year=2012 ''OpenSecrets.org'',"Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), 2012," accessed February 18, 2014]</ref>

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by ''OpenSecrets.org'', Velazquez's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $-749,998 and $1,830,999. That averages to '''$-1,290,498.50''', which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2012 of $5,700,168.36. Velazquez ranked as the 438th most wealthy representative in 2012.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00001102&year=2012 ''OpenSecrets.org'',"Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), 2012," accessed February 18, 2014]</ref>

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Velázquez is an average Democratic member of Congress, meaning she will vote with the Democratic Party on the majority of bills.

Biography

Velázquez was born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. She earned a B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, and a M.A. from New York University.[3]

Career

After earning a master’s degree on scholarship from NYU, Velázquez taught Puerto Rican studies at CUNY’s Hunter College in 1981. In 1983, Velázquez was appointed Special Assistant to Congressman Edolphus Towns. One year later, she became the first Latina appointed to serve on the New York City Council. She was the director of the Migration Division Office, Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources from 1986-1989, and from 1989-1992 was director of the Department of Puerto Rican Community Affairs in the United States for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.[4][5]

Issues

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[8] For more information pertaining to Velázquez's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[9]

National security

American response in Syria

On August 29, 2013, more than 50 HouseDemocrats signed a letter written by CaliforniaRep.Barbara Lee that called for a congressional resolution on strikes, and cautioned that the dire situation in Syria "should not draw us into an unwise war—especially without adhering to our constitutional requirements."[10][11] The letter also called on the Obama administration to work with the U.N. Security Council “to build international consensus” condemning the alleged use of chemical weapons. Velázquez was one of the 50 Democrats in the House to sign the letter.[10][11]

NDAA

Velázquez voted in opposition of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[12]

DHS Appropriations

Velázquez voted in opposition of HR 2217 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[12]

Keystone Pipeline Amendment

Velázquez voted in favor of House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[12]

CISPA (2013)

Velázquez did not vote on HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[13] The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.[12]

Government shutdown

On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[16] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[17] Velázquez voted against the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[18]

The shutdown finally ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funds the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[19] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Velázquez voted for HR 2775.[20]

Immigration

Morton Memos Prohibition

Velázquez voted against House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States.[21] The vote largely followed party lines.[22]

Healthcare

Repealing Obamacare

Velázquez has voted against all attempts to repeal or delay the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[23]

Social issues

Abortion

Velázquez voted against HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196. The purpose of the bill is to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[24]

Previous congressional sessions

Specific votes

Fiscal Cliff

Velázquez voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. She was 1 of 172 Democrats that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[25]

Dilan, a city councilman, was seen by some as the greatest challenge to Velázquez.[29] He was encouraged to run by Vito Lopez, chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party and a member of the New York Assembly. Lopez wanted to see Velázquez defeated, as he said she has rudely slighted him.[30] In return, Velázquez commented, "I advocate for cleaner politics, and he appoints cronies as judges."[30]

Bringing up a common theme in New York politics, Dilan said Velázquez had "the worst voting record on Israel in the New York congressional delegation."[31] Velazquez, however, was endorsed by what one Democratic source called "the three top Jewish Democrats in the state": U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler, and New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.[27] Velázquez was also endorsed by President Barack Obama.[29]

Dilan responded to questions of his fundraising sources -- a significant portion come from the real estate industry, which both Dilan and Lopez influence on the city and state level -- by responding that Velázquez received even more from banks.[32]

On November 4, 2008, Nydia Velazquez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Allan E. Romagera (R) in the general election.[34]

U.S. House, New York District 12 General Election, 2008

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Nydia Velazquezincumbent

66.7%

115,633

Republican

Allan E. Romaguera

7.2%

12,486

Blank/Scattering

N/A

26%

45,115

Total Votes

173,234

2006

On November 7, 2006, Nydia Velazquez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Allan E. Romagera (R) in the general election.[35]

U.S. House, New York District 12 General Election, 2006

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Nydia Velazquezincumbent

73.1%

55,674

Republican

Allan E. Romaguera

8.1%

6,143

Blank/Scattering

N/A

18.8%

14,317

Total Votes

76,134

2004

On November 2, 2004, Nydia Velazquez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Paul A. Rodriguez (R) in the general election.[36]

U.S. House, New York District 12 General Election, 2004

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Nydia Velazquezincumbent

10.2%

15,697

Republican

Paul A. Rodriguez

65%

100,402

Blank/Scattering

N/A

24.8%

38,382

Total Votes

154,481

2002

On November 5, 2002, Nydia Velazquez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Cesar Estevez (Conservative) in the general election.[37]

U.S. House, New York District 12 General Election, 2002

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Nydia Velazquezincumbent

54.6%

43,809

Conservative

Cesar Estevez

2.6%

2,119

Blank/Scattering

N/A

42.7%

34,238

Total Votes

80,166

2000

On November 7, 2000, Nydia Velazquez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Rosemary Markgraf (R), Caesar Estevez (Conservative), Mildred Rosario (Right to Life) and Paul Pederson (Socialist Worker) in the general election.[38]

U.S. House, New York District 12 General Election, 2000

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Nydia Velazquezincumbent

63.1%

81,699

Republican

Rosemary Markgraf

7.8%

10,052

Conservative

Caesar Estevez

0.7%

850

Right to Life

Mildred Rosario

0.7%

865

Socialist Worker

Paul Pederson

0.8%

1,025

Blank/Scattering

N/A

27%

34,980

Total Votes

129,471

1998

On November 3, 1998, Nydia Velazquez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Rosemarie Markgraf (R), Angel Diaz (Conservative), Hector Cortes, Jr. (Liberal) and Hector Henry (Fusion) in the general election.[39]

U.S. House, New York District 12 General Election, 1998

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Nydia Velazquezincumbent

64.4%

53,269

Republican

Rosemarie Markgraf

9%

7,405

Conservative

Angel Diaz

2%

1,632

Liberal

Hector Cortes, Jr.

1.3%

1,080

Fusion

Hector Henry

0.4%

320

Blank/Scattering

N/A

23%

19,016

Total Votes

82,722

1996

On November 5, 1996, Nydia Velazquez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Miguel I. Prado (R) and Eleanor Garcia (Socialist Workers) in the general election.[40]

U.S. House, New York District 12 General Election, 1996

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Nydia Velazquezincumbent

83%

58,947

Republican

Miguel I. Prado

11%

7,824

Socialist Workers

Eleanor Garcia

4.2%

2,966

Blank/Scattering

N/A

1.8%

1,283

Total Votes

71,020

1994

On November 8, 1994, Nydia Velazquez won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Genevieve R. Brennan (Conservative) and Eric Ruano-Melendez (Perot Hispano American) in the general election.[41]

U.S. House, New York District 12 General Election, 1994

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Nydia Velazquezincumbent

57.5%

37,222

Conservative

Genevieve R. Brennan

4.2%

2,747

Perot Hispano American

Eric Ruano-Melendez

0.9%

589

Blank/Scattering

N/A

37.3%

24,172

Total Votes

64,730

1992

On November 3, 1992, Nydia Velazquez won election to the United States House. She defeated Angel Diaz (R), Ruben Franco (Liberal) and Rafael Mendez (New Alliance) in the general election.[42]

U.S. House, New York District 12 General Election, 1992

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Nydia Velazquez

55.3%

55,926

Republican

Angel Diaz

12.1%

12,288

Liberal

Ruben Franco

1.5%

1,556

New Alliance

Rafael Mendez

31%

31,418

Blank/Scattering

N/A

0%

0

Total Votes

101,188

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Velázquez is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Velázquez raised a total of $5,037,829 during that time period. This information was last updated on March 23, 2013.[43]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, Velázquez missed 587 of 13,533 roll call votes from Jan 1993 to Apr 2013, which is 4.3% of votes during that period. This is worse than the median of 2.2% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving.[58]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Velázquez paid her congressional staff a total of $1,013,605 in 2011. Overall, New York ranked 28th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[59]

Net worth

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Velazquez's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $-749,998 and $1,830,999. That averages to $-1,290,498.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2012 of $5,700,168.36. Velazquez ranked as the 438th most wealthy representative in 2012.[60]

Nydia Velazquez Yearly Net Worth

Year

Avg. Net Worth

% Difference from previous year

National Journal vote ratings

2012

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Velázquez tied with three other members of the U.S. House of Representatives, ranking 15th in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.[61]

2011

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Velázquez ranked 20th in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.[62]

Voting with party

June 2013

Velázquez voted with the Democratic Party 93.1% of the time, which ranked 116th among the 192 House Democratic members as of June 2013.[63]

Personal

Velázquez is the first in her family to attend college, the first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, the first Hispanic woman to serve as the top Democrat of a House Committee and the first Latina to be Chair of a full Congressional Committee.[64]

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